Cotton farmers in Tamil Nadu have been advised to take up sowing of suitable varieties of the white fibre this season (Masipattam – February – March).
According to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University’s Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) sources, the price of the cotton sown now and due for harvest four months down the line in July–August, could either move up or remain at the same level.
After analysing the price movement in the Konganapuram Cooperative Marketing Society, TNAU sources estimate the price of the long staple fibre to hover around Rs 4,200 and Rs 4,500 a quintal in July – August 2013.
"Increase in export orders, if any, from China, Bangladesh and Pakistan may bring positive changes in prices; else the price will remain stable," the DEMIC source said, advising farmers to take up suitable varieties for sowing this season.
The State, being the major consumer of cotton in India (47 per cent) produces five lakh bales from 1.2 lakh hectares. Masipattam (Feb-March) is a special season for cotton in Tamil Nadu and MCU 5, MCU 7, Surabhi, Suvin and Bt varieties are mostly cultivated in this season under cent percent irrigation.